Fearless Vampire Killers - Are moving up the ranks!!!

March 5th 2015

London, Koko, UK

***

See them in London next week!!!

Fearless Vampire Killers *** seem to be at every show I go to these days, and I do like them but it seems a little like they are stalking me... and sometimes I would like to see other bands. Saying this they are really developing themselves like KISS as a brand, Yes!!! Buy the app, Buy the comic, Buy the T-Shirt and I really respect bands that work this hard. It also seems like this hard work is paying off, because their fan base is growing and they have moved themselves up to main support. This is a much better place for them to be and gives them a chance to play to a full venue, every time they support someone.

Kier Kemp these days seems to be taking over more vocal duties and the power of his voice is a lot stronger than it used to be, but that is the same for Laurence Beveridge. As always the FVK boys start their set off with Kier Kemp on vocals and you instantly see that a lot of the bands make up and theatrical image is gone, with them going for a more slick black casual look. I think maybe the band think with the new album 'Unbreakable Hearts' they have grown up and don't need it (But I kind of miss it!!! and think this is a shame). They open with the first track off this new album 'Say what you want from Me (The Ghost you left Behind), and you can see instantly that they are a lot better musically and as I said before the vocals are a lot stronger including the harmonies.

Before when I saw Fearless Vampire Killers they were a little disjointed and the timing was not always the best, but they have really fixed this problem and everyone in the band at all times knows what the others are doing. So this should make the band better, but this actually isn't always the case!. I think they have got a little complacent and feel like they are just running through the motions a little. This sometimes comes from playing far too many shows in a row... I had the same problem with the Cancer Bats, another band that I really like. It's not until later in their set that they bring out their cover of the Elton John hit single 'I'm still Standing' that you see the old band back and it brings up the set and the whole feel of the band.

It's strange that it is not until this point that they really are firing on all cylinders, because former live favourite 'Bite down on my Winchester' and single 'Maeby' don't hit you as hard as they used to. Maybe this is because songs like 'All Hallows Evil' and 'Neon on the dance Floors' have really come to life and show the band can do when they really put their mind to it, and that is to write a good catchy melody in a well put together format. 'Could we burn Darling' is as good as normal and leads on nicely to the end of their short set which they close with the title track off their new album 'Unbreakable Hearts'.

I have to say I don't need to buy tickets anymore to a FVK concert, I know I will see them next week supporting some big American band. But if they where not doing this maybe I would go to one of their own shows again. I think the Fearless Vampire Killers need to pull out something really special to be a really big headline act... only time will tell if they will do this. I personally would like them to, because they work really hard and really deserve it.